Navalny has alleged that Putin ordered local officials to withhold permission for the rallies because the Russian leader fears facing him as a challenger in next March's presidential election.

The Tverskoy court in Moscow confirmed receiving Navalny's lawsuit against Putin on Friday.

Putin hasn't said if he will seek a fourth term, but he's widely expected to run. Navalny has said he intends to join the race even though a criminal conviction he calls politically motivated prohibits his candidacy.

To pressure the Kremlin into letting him run, the anti-corruption crusader has organized a grassroots campaign to support his presidential bid and staged waves of protests this year.